34 minute read
Defining & Setting Boundaries
D E F I N I N G & S E T T I N G B oundaries FOR A SUCCESSFUL FALL
Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge is the subtitle of the book, Boundaries for Leaders by Dr. Henry Cloud, and is still touted as essential read for everyone who aspires to lead companies, teams and cultures that are defined by high performance and healthy relationships.
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Published in 2013, Cloud’s book addresses a critical question for people in any organization or group: “With the many benefits that appropriate boundaries provide, WHY don’t we establish and maintain boundaries in our professional and personal lives?!”
WHAT ARE BOUNDARIES? Cloud states, “A boundary is a structure that determines what will exist and what will not.” Boundaries are made up of two essential elements: what you create and what you allow. They can be defined as limits that people set — both physical and emotional in nature — creating order and a healthy sense of personal space.
So, boundaries show where something ends and another begins. Many types of boundaries exist: physical, emotional, personal, time and social. They come in the form of a state or property line, office space, defined procedures, calendar blocking, acceptable behavior … the list goes on.
PURPOSE OF BOUNDARIES Boundaries establish limits to protect and guide us. Ultimately, boundaries put the control in your hands and put you in charge of your life. Although setting or having boundaries in place may sound intimidating, the beauty is that when they are deliberately put in place and followed, they will guide you to success. Like traffic lanes, they keep you safe and on the right course. Appropriate boundaries help to ensure that your relationships grow and are healthy and that you’re protected from negative influence or manipulation by others. Setting and consistently maintaining boundaries at work brings focus, with successes to follow. For example, here’s Cindy’s story about boundaries she put in place.
As a new coaching client at KDIC, Cindy came to us with the need to develop and grow her mindset and confidence in feeling, being and appearing put together and at the top of her game. She was stepping into a new leadership role in her career and needed to have everything in place to support her new endeavor. Her goal was to have a process that kept her organized and on top of new tasks, while presenting herself in a poised and confident manner.
Knowing the requirements of the role, her own personal limitations, and her short- and longterm goals, we put a plan in place. Boundaries began with an efficient layout of her office space, desk and workspace. Both hard copy and electronic collateral materials were laid out for easy access and friendly, efficient daily use. With supportive procedures and systems in place, next Cindy set guarded time aside in her schedule. This included an early morning planning time, before staff arrived for the workday, so she would be ready for her day and to lead her team. Also, a weekly strategic time block was set aside for projects, planning and thinking through the demands that would come with her new position.
With boundaries set and honored, Cindy’s sought-after poise and confidence was won! She now confidently leads her team, makes it to meetings with the correct folders and documents in hand, and closes the end of her workday knowing that everything is in place for her next day. She is also able to handle the inevitable “unexpecteds” with grace because she has a solid foundation to work from. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY SET BOUNDARIES To set effective boundaries for yourself, you might begin in much the same manner as Cindy’s process did.
• Decide what you’re trying to achieve or what adjustments you want to make. • Be honest with yourself. How do you operate? What are your strengths and limitations? • Consider your past. What has worked before and what hasn’t?
• Seek support with a coach (or a trusted successful colleague/mentor) who can help you with the process. • Decide on a set of actions or steps that will support better boundaries.
Then deliberately take the first step; it will guide you to the next.
How has setting boundaries affected you? What successful boundaries do you have working in your world? Are there others you should put in place that will help set you up for success this fall or in 2021?
Kelly Duggan is an Image Consultant specializing in executive and personal image development, etiquette & communication skills. She is a certified member of the Association of Image Consultants International. Contact Kelly at: www.kellyduggan.com.
SHE MEANS BUSINESS
When she means business, SHE MEANS BUSINESS. So many great, local women lead and have started some great businesses around Kalamazoo and the surrounding areas. Many you know and love, and some are bound to leave you pleasantly surprised. Read on and meet the women who make it happen in Southwest Michigan!
1803 Whites Rd, Suite 5, Kalamazoo 269.488.8394 | ean@hamiltonlawplc.com www.hamiltonlawplc.com
Ean P. Hamilton Attorney & Partner Ean Hamilton is an attorney and Law is my baby, and I am excited to partner with Hamilton Law, PLC, a law see it grow!” firm that provides legal assistance to individuals, families, and small business owners in Southwest Michigan. Whether a person requires assistance with estate planning, probate issues, or corporate matters, Ean and the team at Hamilton Law help protect their interests and prepare them for change. Ean’s goal is to make clients feel comfortable Ean is married to Phillip Hamilton, who is an attorney and her business partner at Hamilton Law. The Hamiltons lived in Washington DC for four years but moved back to Michigan six years ago to be closer to family. They and their two sons, six-year-old Parker and three-year-old Austin, enjoy life in Portage. and at ease the moment they walk Ean gives back to the community into the office or hear her voice over in many ways, including serving the phone. Ean says, “ Law firms can on the boards of Boys & Girls Club be intimidating, and I am working to Kalamazoo, Inner City Youth for reverse that image!” Change and Friendship Village. In A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ean went on to earn her JD from the Thomas M. Cooley Law addition to her board appointments, Ean is also a Kalamazoo Valley Community College Trustee. School. She has been practicing She is an avid runner and loves to run law for over ten years and is outside in the spring and summer. licensed to practice in Virginia and Ean also enjoys shopping, either Michigan. After practicing at firms in online or searching for something in Washington DC and Kalamazoo, Ean the store. Ean’s favorite activities are decided to open Hamilton Law in spending time and laughing with her September 2019. She says, “Hamilton family and friends.
Meet the
Team
MARIA SORRENTINO President of Pest Pros Maria serves as the President of Pest Pros and has led a career in several different roles within the pest control industry. She is on a mission to create a better quality of life for people which is reflected in how she does business with her clients and supports her team. Under Maria’s leadership, Pest Pros prioritizes their commitment to people by creating jobs where employees have unlimited potential to create the path they desire. One of her goals is to become a Best & Brightest Company to Work For. This results in excellent customer service and contributes to her passion of positively impacting the greater good and community. In her opinion, Pest control is an added advantage to society but isn’t the sole reason she wakes up to come to work every day. Maria immerses herself in leadership activities allowing her to be a resource for entrepreneurs who want to make a positive impact in the world. One of her goals is to become a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by creating a work environment where people want to be. When Maria isn’t working on the business, you will find her reading a book, hanging with her husband, kids and furry friends.
AMBER BYARS
GPC Operations & Technical Training Manager
Amber serves as the General Pest Operations Manager and oversees the residential division by leading onboarding and training initiatives for the team. Amber’s superpower is building relationships by being a leader for her team and working closely with customers to solve their problems. Customer service is second nature for her and she will regularly go beyond with service; like helping someone change a tire on the side of the road while en route. She enjoys working at Pest Pros with like-minded people on the same mission with goals and an unstoppable vision. She is proud to be minimizing stigmas in the pest control industry as a woman. Amber is extremely family oriented and loves spending time with her dog, Eleven.
ESHAH WILDER
Eshah serves as the Commercial Operations Manager and Community Connector for Pest Pros. Right off the bat you will notice her infectious personality. She is naturally adept at making lasting connections with people and is actively involved in the business networking scene. When it comes to process Eshah is an efficient problem solver that is typically a step ahead on executing. Eshah thrives in a fast-paced environment and likes to be challenged which has led her to be exceptional in her leadership roles. She enjoys working at Pest Pros because of her flexibility when it comes to making decisions that impact clients and the business. Her pride and joys are her three children Alyssa, Lunah and Niko. In her free time, you will find her spending time with her loved ones.
KENDEL CHEATHAM Wildlife Operations Manager Kendel serves as the Wildlife Operations Manager for Pest Pros, which is perfectly aligned with her love for animals. She is full of ideas and a rockstar when it comes to accountability. Kendel is dedicated to her purpose of helping people grow and develop by coaching others to their own level of success. Going above and beyond the call of duty is something Kendel does often, like, when she took her tip money to help a customer because it was the right thing to do. She enjoys working at Pest Pros because of the camaraderie and the way people support each other and show up as their best selves. In her free time, you will most often find her spending time with her friends, family and sweet dog, Diggs.
CHELSIE FALL, SHRM-CP
People & Performance Manager People and Performance Manager at Pest Pros because she has a true gift when it comes to developing talent. She has a passion for managing the team’s energy and fosters collaboration in an effort to create cohesive synergy with everyone involved internally and externally. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role by holding a degree in Organizational Communication and a Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional Certification. Her favorite part about working at Pest Pros is the autonomy and drive the team has because they are encouraged to pursue their dreams and are presented with unlimited opportunity. Chelsie loves everything and anything outdoors and you will most often find her spending time with her husband and their two young children.
TAYLOR HUGHES
Customer Service & Scheduling Specialist Chelsie serves as the
Taylor is the most recent addition to the Pest Pros team and serves as the Customer Service and Scheduling Specialist. She is currently finishing up her associate’s degree and is planning to explore opportunities in several different areas. She is exceptionally intelligent and has had several roles where she excelled in customer service. By nature, she is responsible and loves to take care of people, especially, her younger siblings. She enjoys working at Pest Pros because she likes the functions of an office setting and appreciates the autonomous internal culture. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, shopping and hanging out with her friends.
PEST PROS OF MICHIGAN | 269. 993.0051 info@pestprosmi.com | 5068 S Sprinkle Rd Portage, MI
Sabrina Pritchett-Evans State Farm Agent
Sabrina Pritchett-Evans is a dynamic business owner with insurance and financial services operations in Kalamazoo and South Haven. Sabrina and her talented staff specialize in home, auto, business, life, and disability insurance, as well as annuity and brokerage accounts. She has a passion for helping clients develop a strong financial foundation by discovering what is important to them and then protecting it with competitive insurance and financial service products backed by a strong company. One of the driving ideals behind Sabrina’s successful business practices: people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Sabrina is a passionate community activist, wife, and mother of two adult sons. She is a member of numerous non-profit organizations, including LISC, League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo, Lakeside for Children, and the Borgess Foundation. In addition to her multiple commitments throughout the community, Sabrina is the co-founder of Tendaji, a philanthropic group of Black women supporting and advancing non-profit work in the Kalamazoo area. In her rare moments of free time, Sabrina loves to watch tennis, but doesn’t play. She also enjoys shopping and indulging in fine dining.
STATE FARM INSURANCE | 2618 Portage Street, Kalamazoo | 1400 Kalamazoo Street, Suite 1, South Haven
Julie Powell Skin Care Specialist Julie Powell is a licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Medical Skin Care Specialist and Certified Laser Technician in practice for 31 years. She creates personally designed treatments aimed at providing healthy, aesthetically pleasing solutions for her patients. Developing an on-going relationship with each patient is important to Julie. Through that relationship, she is able to understand and address her patient’s need and concerns. Working under the supervision of Dr. Steven Nitsch, a board-certified plastic surgeon, Julie is able to offer advanced skin care techniques, including Coolsculpting, an innovative non-invasive way to contour your body by freezing unwanted fat away. Julie also provides the following services: Fraxel Restore, Thermage, Micro-Needling, Chemical Peels and Specialty Skin Care treatments.
PARKWAY PLASTIC SURGERY | 269.343.5750 www.parkwayps.com | 575 W Crosstown Parkway
Kelly Duggan Founder & President
KELLY DUGGAN Image Consulting, LLC, offers a total image service, including executive presence development, personal brand strategy and careerinterview readiness, through coaching, speaking and consulting. Additional services include signature style and wardrobe development, personal shopping and eyewear selection service for men and women.
Kelly is an award-winning image consultant. Her passion: to help clients realize the power they have in themselves, develop their inner poise and confidence, and position themselves strategically for greater professional and personal success. “I help my clients authentically and strategically think, feel and present their very best.” In addition, Kelly is an independent stylist with J.Hilburn Menswear.
KELLY DUGGAN IMAGE CONSULTING | 269.873.1598 kd@kellyduggan.com | kellyduggan.jhilburn.com | kellyduggan.com
When people walk through the doors at Vandenberg Furniture, they immediately see the beautiful sofas, bedroom sets and more. What they might miss, is the incredible woman who helps make it all happen because she’s busy running the logistics behind the scenes. Becky Johnson, Business Manager, works to ensure that every purchase and inquiry is a pleasant experience. Becky is a wife, mom, self-taught IT and website manager, as well as an avid flower gardener in her spare time.
VANDENBERG FURNITURE | 12000 N US 131, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 269.679.4055 | vandenbergfurniture.com
Jenn Tangeman Owner
Jenn Tangeman is a firm believer in the importance of loving what you do! She is passionate about working to support the lifestyle you want to live and not living to work. Following this guiding principle, Jenn has built a company that emphasizes the importance of authentic, quality relationships with clients and employees. Founded in 2008, Clean by Design has quickly built a reputation as one of the leading residential and commercial cleaning solutions providers. Jenn and her team’s dedication to excellence has resulted in consistent growth each year. Jenn says, “Our focus is listening to our clients, understanding their needs, and providing an exceptional level of service.” Jenn’s proudest accomplishment is raising three beautiful children: Conner, 16, Lillyana, 14, and Shawn, 13, as a single mom.
CLEAN BY DESIGN | 269.366.5994 www.cleanbydesignkazoo.com | cleanbydesignkazoo@gmail.com
6 OF THE 18 POWERFUL WOMEN REPRESENTING BKC
Melissa Gregersen Photographer/Owner
Melissa Gregersen opened the Gregersen Photography studio in 2007 with a commitment to provide highquality photography and an enjoyable experience for clients during the most memorable times of their lives. Specializing in newborn and family photography, Melissa’s studio is roomy and welcoming for the entire family. This beautiful, relaxing environment helps Melissa provide gorgeous portraits and full-service boutique photography that will be cherished for a lifetime. Melissa likes to remind clients, “Photographs will never depreciate, their value actually increases with time as they become treasured family heirlooms.” Melissa’s most significant source of inspiration is her family. She is supported in both business and life by her husband of 18 years, Jayme. They have two daughters, Norah and Noelle. The family loves to enjoy Michigan summers by camping all around the state. Their favorite activities are hiking, biking, enjoying sunsets on Lake Michigan, and trying out all of the fun ice cream shops in the small tourist towns. When asked to describe herself in one sentence, Melissa says, “I am a child of God, wife, mother, photographer, businesswoman, Chicago Cubs fan, camper, lover of Michigan sunsets, and oh so incredibly grateful for the things listed above.”
GREGERSEN PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC | 269.352.6083 | 5100 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo gregersenphotography.com | melissa@gregersenphotography.com
Michelle Mitchell Owner, Financial Strategist & Business Consultant
Michelle Mitchell is the owner of Mitchell Consulting, a virtual accounting and business development firm based in Kalamazoo. Her drive to empower female entrepreneurs to bridge the gap between passion and profit sets Michelle apart in her field. Michelle established Mitchell Consulting in 2010 with the goal of using her background in finance and education to teach financial literacy and business development to entrepreneurs. Over the past ten years, Michelle has carefully built a team of certified Quickbooks Online accountants. The Mitchell Consulting team teaches service-based business owners how to become more profitable while becoming the CEO of their business. In addition, Michelle and her team provide the technical assistance business owners need using Quickbooks Online and creating financial workflow systems. Michelle has her BBA in Accounting from Western Michigan University and dual Master’s Degrees in Organizational Management and Career & Technical Education. She is also a member of an elite group of advanced certified Quickbooks Online ProAdvisors. Michelle’s favorite part of her work is seeing clients have that “ah-ha” moment and see that all of their hard work is paying off. When Michelle isn’t hard at work with her clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tony, and their two adult children.
Ethel Wilkey-Downs
Realtor
Ethel Wilkey-Downs established her real estate business in 2013, working as a full-time realtor with Berkshire Hathaway. While Ethel excels in supporting both sellers and buyers achieving their real estate goals, her niche is first-time home buyers. Over the past seven years, Ethel has guided more than 130 of her first time home buyer clients through the process of becoming homeowners! This is an accomplishment she cherishes. Although Ethel thoroughly enjoys helping these clients, her expertise has served a wide array of clients from those searching for half-million-dollar lake homes to new real estate investors with budgets as low as $25,000.
Ethel has a firm foundation in business management. Watching her mom build and run a successful business for over 25 years made a powerful impression on Ethel, particularly about the importance of good business values and the true meaning of quality customer service. Ethel earned her first degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management and began a career with Bill Knapp’s restaurant chain. This career led to a chance meeting with a property management firm, and in 1991, Ethel joined that firm and began her real estate career.
After years of working in the real estate industry, Ethel enrolled in the Elementary Education program at Western Michigan University, earning her degree in 2003. She spent years as a classroom teacher before her love of the real estate industry, and her entrepreneurial spirit called her back into the business world, this time as the owner of her own real estate business.
Ethel’s clients value her dedication to customer service, her strong negotiating skills, and excellent communication. Serving on Berkshire Hathaway’s Beyond the Sale Committee allows Ethel to focus on giving back to local residents and the community. She is also a member of the Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors, where she has served on their Community Relations Committee and co-chaired the Veteran’s Day Community Event. One of her proudest professional accomplishments is being names to the GKAR Board of REALTORS Top 100 Agents five times in the past seven years.
Ethel loves being a wife, mom, and grandma. Cooking is her passion, and she loves to create new recipes and experiment with new dishes. Nothing makes Ethel happier than being in the kitchen cooking with her children. Ethel would one day love to open her own food truck.
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY | 269. 267.0515 | www.ethelwilkey.bhhsmichiganrealestate.com | ethelwilkey@bhhsmi.com
Rachel Gruetzner Family Law Attorney & Owner
Graduating summa cum lade with her JD from Michigan State University, with a Trial Practice Certificate from the Geoffery Fieger Trial Practice Institute, Rachel Gruetzner founded Your Path Family Law, a family law firm providing fixedfee legal services for divorce and child custody disputes in Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. Rachel and her team provide high-quality legal services to individuals and families throughout Michigan at predictable prices. Rachel is what many call a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult). Rachel says, “My father, sisters and my maternal grandparents are deaf. To my knowledge, I am one of around three family law attorneys in Michigan who can use sign language.” Regardless of the method of communication, Rachel founded her practice on the ideal that listening is an act of love. The team at Your Path Family Law believes that the number one job of everyone in the firm is to hear their clients and help them make good decisions in less-than-ideal circumstances, based on what they’ve heard. Rachel is engaged and looking forward to her wedding on December 12th. She and her fiancée share an adorable dog, Rizzo, named after Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs. When she isn’t practicing law, Rachel loves to garden, swim, and read.
YOUR PATH FAMILY LAW | 269.888.2513 | 5144 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo | rachel@yourpathfamilylaw.com | yourpathfamilylaw.com
Jacque Jennings-Carter
Anti-Aging Specialist, International Business Developer
Each day is a new opportunity for Jacque to fulfill her passion for educating others about Redox Signaling Molecules, the technology behind them and why prioritizing our health is important. “I love showing people how to achieve optimal health, helping them understand that working toward improved and/or optimal health is an investment in themselves, rather than an expense,” she says. “One of the most important items to include in a personal wellness plan is Redox Signaling Molecules. The health choices we make today will affect us years from now. It’s up to us whether we want the effect to be positive or negative long-term. The reality is that being healthy does cost money; and the older we get, the more costly it can be to maintain optimal health. However, being sick costs significantly more and affects everyone, not just the family member who is sick.” Jacque encourages everyone to remember, “If you ignore your health, it will go away.” Jacque is a passionate, life-long community volunteer, donor and sponsor who works with organizations for the benefit of children, animals, social justice, gender equality, victims of abuse, veterans, mental health awareness & the elderly. She is most proud of her daughter, Ashley, sonin-law Jake, & loves spending time with them & their two dogs, Max and Sunny.
ASEA - Jacque Jennings-Carter | 269.779.2900 | Jacque@AdvancingLives.biz | www.AdvancingLives.myASEAlive.com
Audrey “Audie” Henriquez
Executive Director Audie Henriquez went back to school to get her degree in management under the thought, “People don’t quit their jobs; they quit their bosses. So, what would it look like if the way that I believe is reflected in the way that I lead?” Audie took that thought into her work as Executive Director of North Woods Village Memory Care. Under her care, their memory care facility provides the best for their residents with licensed caregiving staff, including licensed nurses and caregivers. Not only that, but their facility specializes in memory care, with experts to work through challenges and behaviors associated with dementia.
This spring she’ll celebrate 35 years with her husband. They have three adult sons and a three-year-old grandson.
Tracy Anthony Director of Nursing
Tracy Anthony has worked in the medical field her whole adult life, while practicing nursing for the last 15 of those years. Her expertise melds fluidly into her role as Director of Nursing at Northwoods Village, a 61-bed assisted living memory care facility, specializing in Dementia. The Village assists residents with all activities of daily living that are often difficult for family to provide in all stages of dementia care. They like to establish themselves as a resident’s extended family and provide them with the best possible care.
When she’s not caring for the elderly, Tracy enjoys spending time watching her children play local league sports and travel clubs, camping, kayaking, crafts and scrapbooking.
NORTH WOODS VILLAGE KALAMAZOO | 616. 397.2200 | northwoodsmemorycare.com 6203 Stadium Dr Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Amelia Lietzau Commercial Real Estate & Construction Consultant
Amelia is dedicated to helping business owners make great property decisions. Whether representing buyers, tenants, or business owners, Amelia and her colleagues at The Barton Group are committed to the success of the businesses with which they partner by offering experienced, heartfelt service to meet specific property needs. Amelia loves at the end of a project when business owners want to do it again; repeat business is the highest compliment! In addition to her work in the commercial sector, Amelia and The Barton Group specialize in working with non-profits and love to gift time and resources to their clients. The Barton Group loves to passionately invest time into making our community a better place, and they are intentional about fostering relationships that raise the bar for all involved. Amelia and her husband, Derek, live in Decatur with their eightmonth-old son, Waylon, two dogs (Apollo & AJ), and two cats (Berry & Holly). When Amelia isn’t busy representing clients, she enjoys spending time at Little Paw Paw Lake, working on home projects, finding fun eateries, cooking, and spending time outside.
THE BARTON GROUP | 269.823.3572 | 8750 Portage Industrial Dr, Portage | amelia@bartongroupllc.com | www.bartongroupllc.com
Chelsie Fall is the Human Resources Communication Strategist and founder of Chelsie Fall & Associates, where they emphasize people management as a key to success. Chelsie is on a mission to change the way we think about employees in the workplace and supports small businesses by implementing a communication strategy to bring the workplace together. The result is a dynamic, interdependent alignment of culture and operations customized to support each aspect of a business’s unique purpose. Chelsie brings her fresh perspective and multi-industry expertise directly to those who need it. She lives in Kalamazoo with her husband, Kyle, their two young children, and their sweet dog.
CHELSIE FALL & ASSOCIATES | 734.658.7076 cfall@chelsiefall.com | www.chelsiefall.com
Genevieve Allen Owner & Business Manager
Genevieve Allen and her husband Ronni designed Fresh Coast Auto Detail to serve the premium, exotic, and luxury automobile owner’s discerning needs. Whether it is assisting clients through the process of restoring a historic vehicle or simply protecting the finish on someone’s daily driver, Genevieve, Ronni, and the team at Fresh Coast Auto Detail are driven by the desire to achieve the perfect outcome for every client, in every situation. Away from the studio, Genevieve loves to travel, cook, and most of all, spend time with her family. She and Ronni have been married for six years and are parents of two boys; Vincent and Dominic, and two dogs; Memphis and Penelope.
FRESH COAST AUTO DETAIL | 269.459.9900 freshcoastautodetail.com | 6811 West KL Avenue, Ste A, Kalamazoo
Bronwyn Haltom
Bronwyn Haltom is from a new generation of leadership, focused on getting real results for our community. She believes it’s time for her generation to step up, and start working together to tackle our state’s biggest challenges. She is a candidate for State Representative in the 61st District, encompassing the City of Portage, Oshtemo, Texas, Schoolcraft and Prairie Ronde Townships in Kalamazoo County.
Bronwyn is running to keep the state and community she loves headed in the right direction as our leaders tackle unprecedented challenges. “I think it’s time our elected officials stop screaming at each other and start working to get real results for our community.”
Michigan is home for Bronwyn — she grew up in Oshtemo, attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and earned her degree from the University of Michigan. After meeting her husband, Thomas, they bought a home in Texas Corners, where they own a small marketing and communications firm.
Bronwyn developed a passion for public service early on. As a child, she aspired to be a US Secret Service Agent and joined the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety’s Explorer Post for young people interested in law enforcement.
As COVID-19 has placed additional strains on so many aspects of life, Bronwyn believes it is crucial that our representatives have the right priorities in creating a healthier state.
For Bronwyn, it’s all about jobs and education. She has heard it from thousands of parents, employers, and young people in every corner of her district. Bronwyn is committed to expanding Michigan’s status as a hub of innovation and job creation. Southwest Michigan’s remarkable development in recent years proves that another economic comeback is possible with the right leadership.
Bronwyn believes investing in education means stronger schools and more programs that connect talented students to meaningful career pathways. As Lansing faces the difficult tasks of addressing significant budget shortfalls, Bronwyn will put education funding first. Now more than ever, healthcare is a critical issue for every Michigander. Protecting coverage for those with pre-existing conditions is non-negotiable for Bronwyn. She pledges to work with anyone, regardless of party, to find real-world solutions that expand access to affordable healthcare and empower patients with more coverage options.
Bronwyn understands that our elected officials work for us, and increase transparency in Lansing by holding legislators accountable, strengthening ethics laws, and working to eliminate perks for politicians at taxpayer expense. Bronwyn is committed to making Kalamazoo County the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
BRONWYN HALTOM Candidate for State Representative, House District 61 | 269. 903.9462 | bronwynhaltom.com
Dawn SwickRenshaw CEO and Social Media Strategist
If you’re looking for a social media expert in the area, Dawn SwickRenshaw is the woman to find. The Social Media Strategist and CEO of Stoney Creek Social Media in Portage created a business focused on social media marketing and strategy for local businesses and businesses across the United States and Canada. Her expertise has brought her on podcasts, radio and TV interviews, as well as in the latest book of four-time, New York Times best-selling author Gary Vaynerchuk’s, “#AskGaryVee.” Outside of work, when she’s not spending time with her family, you can find her reading and/or learning everything she can about marketing, she just loves it that much.
STONEY CREEK SOCIAL MEDIA | 517.918.9004 dawn@stoneycreeksocialmedia.com | stoneycreeksocialmedia.com
Alicia Pauwels Lead Graphic Designer
Graphic design ties together two things Alicia is passionate about: art & problemsolving. She enjoys the challenge of pulling together pieces of information & transforming them into something that is enjoyable to look at & easy to digest. She loves her work! And as the graphic designer at Moxie, it’s her job to combine those elements to stay true to the brand: Fresh, Fun, and Fabulous. Alicia was raised in Muskegon, MI and earned her BFA at Central Michigan University. After her career took her to New Jersey, then Florida, her love for her home state brought her back to Michigan. Besides her work on Moxie Magazine, she also works as a Graphic Designer for FireKeepers Casino Hotel. When she finds a moment between projects, she loves walking her dogs, Tenny and Lefty; painting; photographing events; listening to books & podcasts; & spending time with her family (she is a proud aunt to four so far).
MOXIE MEDIA GROUP | apauwels@moxiemediagroup.net www.moxiemediagroup.net | facebook.com/aliciajeanphoto MARY Mary Beth Lyons A Single Owner Personal serving wish A Single Ray of Hope, LLC is a your trusted and insured Personal Schedule Assistant & Concierge Service you can include that has been serving southwest living Michigan for 13 years. Do you A SINGLE RAY OF HOPE I 269-720-7605 ever wish you could wave a magic wand and all tasks on your to-do list were already done? Wait no more! Schedule a consultation with Mary Beth to learn how you can Reclaim Your Time Today! Warning: Benefits include breathing easier, having peace of mind, and living longer and happier lives.
Lalita Chemello Editor, Creator
Our Editor, Lalita, is not someone who has been known for sitting still. If actions cannot be made, she goes out and makes them happen. Combine that with her love and talent of writing, and you have an unstoppable creator. It’s why we have her here to ensure you are reading great content, every month. When she’s not editing our pages or writing up stories on deadline, she runs a podcast with her partner, Josh, called “The MiMoto Podcast,” talking about the history and lifestyle of the motorsport, automotive and motorcycle worlds. She also freelances as a Contributing Editor for Porsche’s Panorama magazine, and does website design and photography under her small business, LMC Media, LLC. And if that wasn’t enough, her day job is currently as a vampire, or rather a phlebotomist for Versiti. Add in some day trips around the state, rides on her motorcycle, writing a novel and spending time with her partner and two dogs, Matty and Luna, she’s always moving.
Dr. Susan Dennis is the Founder and C.E.O. of the dental practice Susan M. Dennis, D.D.S. She is an authority on Cosmetic Dentistry and Smile Makeovers, which help people of all ages achieve the smile of their dreams. Hundreds of her patients have experienced the life-changing beauty of a more youthful, healthy and powerful smile. Her patients come to her state-of-the-art office from all over the United States. Dr. Dennis has achieved mastery level in Dental Implant Restoration and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Therapy and has helped cure headaches for hundreds of people with her treatment therapies. She is a very compassionate and empathetic professional that understands dental fear and has perfected the “recipe” to get all of her patients profoundly numb and comfortable. The University of Michigan, which is the top dental school in the world, awarded The Vedder Society Crown and Bridge Prosthetics Award to Dr. Dennis as the number one outstanding achievement as a senior dental student in Prosthetic Restoration. She is the Team Dentist for several Western Michigan University sports teams and is very active in her community. Dr. Dennis has made several television appearances on The Lori Moore Show and WWMT. She is a regular contributor to the online site, The Practice Solution, and has been published in the Kalamazoo Gazette and several articles in The Heart of Texas Corners, Gull Lake Living and Women’s Lifestyle Magazine of Greater Kalamazoo. Dr. Dennis is the originator of “The Dental Prescription”, the specific, detailed analysis and prescription for each patient’s needs and wants. She and her team sponsor at least one charitable event every quarter which include; “The $10,000 Smile Makeover Contest”, Dentistry From the Heart®, Halloween Candy Buyback for Operation Gratitude, American Heart Association, Kalamazoo Humane Society Dog Walk and is a major contributor to their new Veterinary Clinic to open in the Fall of 2019. Dr. Dennis is happily married to Jim Murray and together they have three wonderful sons & daughters-in-law & seven grandchildren, with an eighth on the way. They chose to live in southwest Michigan many years ago when they fell in love with this family-oriented community.
SUSAN M. DENNIS, DDS | 269.216.7106 | MyDrDennis.com | 8150 Moorsbridge Rd, Suite A, Portage, Ml
Kim Yancey
Graphic Designer Fine Art Photogapher
I’m a Texan- born girl who found her home in Kalamazoo. As a professional freelance graphic designer, I help my clients communicate clearly by transforming their vision into effective design. My twenty-plus years in the printing industry have given me the opportunity to complete many projects, like corporate logos and branding, packaging, book covers, magazines, bridal suites, restaurant menus, billboards, advertisements and marketing materials. I have also provided professional photography for commercial and personal uses, as well as producing fine art photography for exhibition and sale. I love creating and learning new things while sharing concepts and
Creative ancey s ideas with others. I’m inspired by music, nature, architecture and cultural diversity. I am grateful for my many blessings and would love to be a part of your next project.
K YANCEY CREATIVES | 616.581.7641 kyanceycreatives@gmail.com | facebook.com/kyanceycreatives
Nikki Miller
Travel Consultant & Owner, Travel With Nikki
For the past 11 years, Nikki Miller has used her extensive travel knowledge, on-theground contacts, and knack for knowing the ins and outs of travel to help her travelers have the best vacation experiences possible. Nikki’s top destinations include Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Walt Disney World Resort. Her attention to detail helps avoid those disappointing “well, maybe next time we visit visit ... “ moments of travel. Nikki’s travelers are able to show up, experience the destination and come home with memories that are sure to last a lifetime.
TRAVEL WITH NIKKI | 734.535.8865 travelwithnikki.com | nikki@travelwithnikki.com
